The Alc 35 Le Comte is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 26.2′, the Alc 35 Le Comte tops out around 6.9 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √26.2′ LWL = 6.9 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
17.4
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
48.3%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
299
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
30.0
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.75
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
935lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
30.0
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.75
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Alc 35 Le Comte sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Intrepid 35
165s/nm
Pearson 35
177s/nm
Raider 35
189s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.8 |
3.5 |
3.9 |
4.1 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.3 |
4.2 |
4.7 |
4.9 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.1 |
5.2 |
5.8 |
6.0 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.8 |
4.8 |
5.3 |
5.6 |
| Run150–180° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.3 |
4.5 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.9 kts),
SA/D (17.4), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Alc 35 Le Comte — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–22 kts
22–32 kts
32+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–32 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
32+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Alc 35 Le Comte.
|
Alc 35 Le Comte |
Cooper 353 |
Intrepid 35 |
Pearson 35 |
Raider 35 |
Warrior Iii Primrose |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
35.0 |
35.0 |
35.0 |
35.0 |
35.0 |
35.0 |
| LWL |
26.2 |
28.5 |
27.3 |
25.0 |
24.3 |
26.1 |
| Beam |
10.0 |
12.0 |
10.1 |
10.0 |
10.5 |
10.5 |
| Displacement |
12 |
13 |
15 |
13 |
14 |
12 |
| Ballast |
5 |
4 |
6 |
5 |
— |
5 |
| Sail Area |
569 |
560 |
558 |
— |
— |
437 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
165 |
177 |
189 |
— |
| SA/Disp |
17.4 |
16.3 |
14.2 |
— |
— |
13.1 |
| Bal/Disp |
48.3 |
36.2 |
39.2 |
41.5 |
— |
41.3 |
| Comfort |
30.0 |
24.1 |
38.3 |
— |
35.1 |
29.0 |
| Capsize |
1.75 |
2.05 |
1.61 |
— |
1.73 |
1.82 |
| Hull Speed |
6.9 |
7.2 |
7.0 |
— |
6.6 |
6.8 |